Dept. of Commerce: Jessica Doyle Announces $1.99 Million in Wisconsin Fresh Start Grants

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661

MILWAUKEE—On behalf of Gov. Jim Doyle, First Lady Jessica Doyle today announced that 11 Fresh Start project sites would receive $1.99 million in grants from Wisconsin Fresh Start programs. The First Lady also cut the ribbon at the Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation project site at 1908 N. 28th St. in Milwaukee. The awards were made from the Wisconsin Fresh Start initiative administered by the Department of Commerce.

“This initiative represents an important investment in the lives of at-risk youth and their communities,” Jessica Doyle said. “These grants will provide participants with education and employment skills as they work on housing projects. Over 85 percent of project participants achieve their goals of job placement or graduation to post-secondary schooling. The homes and apartments they build provide affordable, quality and energy-efficient housing for sale or rent to low-income people in their communities.”

The funds were awarded from grants the Department of Commerce received from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County.

The following summarizes the awards:

Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $165,495 grant

Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation will serve 10 participants in and produce a new single-family home in the Garfield subdivision of Milwaukee.

Northcott Neighborhood House, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, $165,495 grant

Northcott Neighborhood House will serve 10 participants and produce a new single family home at 2548 N. 5th Street in Milwaukee.

ADVOCAP, Inc., Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, $146,308 grant.

ADVOCAP will serve 9 participants and build a new three-bedroom single family home in Fond du Lac.

Ashland County Housing Authority, Mellen, Ashland County, $197,500 grant.

Ashland County Housing Authority will serve 14 participants and produce a new single-family home in Mellen.

CAP Services, Inc., Wautoma, Waushara County, $197,500 grant.

CAP Services will serve 15 participants in 2004, and produce a new single-family home and two apartments in Wautoma.

Indianhead Community Action Agency, Spooner, Washburn County, $252,500 grant.

Indianhead Community Action Agency will serve 10 participants and produce two housing units (a duplex) in the city of Spooner.

Renewal Unlimited, Inc., Portage, Columbia County, $187,500

Renewal will serve 12 participants and produce a new single family home in Portage.

Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association, Wausau, Marathon County, $307,500 grant.

Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association’s two crews will serve 20 participants and build two new single family homes in Wausau.

Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Eau Claire and Jackson Counties, $338,750 grant.

Western Dairyland will serve 14 participants and build a single family home in Fall Creek, Eau Claire County. Western Dairyland will serve 12 participants and building a new single family in Hixton, Jackson County.

The Department of Commerce administers a variety of housing programs. For more information, contact Marty Evanson at 608/267-2713.